About this hike (Blue route)
SELFGUIDED TOUR
DISTANCE: About 16 km. 5-7 hours. Max elevation 304 m.
MAP: Arctic Sun. Narsarsuaq (Qassiarsuk – Igaliku) 1:50,000
ORIENTATION/DIFFICULTY: Marked. Easy to moderate hiking. Path and easy terrain, but steep ascent and descent.
ACCOMMODATION: Narsarsuaq Hostel
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Follow the asphalt road to where it ends in the Hospital Valley and continue on the gravel road through the pass from where you look down into the Flower Valley:
- In the Flower Valley you follow the gravel road (which becomes a path) on the right side of the valley.
- When you reach the foot of the waterfall in the innermost right-hand corner of the valley, you can see the trail climbing steeply to the left of the waterfall.
- The ascent is about 300 metres. On the steepest parts ropes have been fixed for support for the ascent/descent. You do not need to be a climber, but you should feel steady on your feet!
- When you arrive at the plateau, follow the marks and cairns right around the first lake and then straight ahead about 1 km. From here there are stunning views of the glacier.
- From this vantage point it is 30-45 minutes down to the edge of the ice and 1-1 ½ hours back (about 250 metres difference in elevation).
- If you are very cautious, it is possible to step on the ice! Be aware, though, that the glacier edge can be unstable and you should not move farther up onto the glacier without equipment.
- Take the same way back.